This course will survey the history of the arts in Italy from ca. 1400 to ca. 1575. In lectures and discussion we will examine the conception of cultural "rebirth" which helps to define this period, the emergence of individual artistic personalities, and significant aspects of patronage, philosophy and theology which affect the making and understanding of works of art. Class lectures will be organized around the urban centers of this period, with a focus on the courtly or civic patronage exercised.

Attendance in class is essential to understanding the material and developing a visual memory of the works discussed. For this reason, a portion of the final grade will reflect attendance and participation, including a field trip. Our trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art is cancelled due to renovations.

The first writing assignment will ask each student to examine some of the original documentation of the period. Details of Paper One will be posted when appropriate.

Each student will also complete a research paper on a topic individually chosen and approved by the professor, probably focussed on the work of a single artist. Details of this assignment will be posted when appropriate.

See the Course Evaluation page for a breakdown of how much each part of the class counts toward the final grade.

TEXTS:

PAOLETTI, John and Gary RADKE. Art in Renaissance Italy. 3rd ed.

Supplemental materials will be handed out and discussed in class.

http://merlin.allegheny.edu/employee/a/acarr/art225.html

Last updated 9 March 2008